I can see where the perique has a barnyard-y note but I wouldn’t call it unpleasant. Everyone’s olfactory/taste sense is different so some may find it overpowering.
As far as aging Cringle, it really only needs time to marry, 6months to a year has been plenty in my experience to give an excellent smoke. More age won’t hurt it any but it’s fine “young” as the constituents are already aged.
As far as aging Cringle, it really only needs time to marry, 6months to a year has been plenty in my experience to give an excellent smoke. More age won’t hurt it any but it’s fine “young” as the constituents are already aged.